PLANT CITY, Florida — A 44-year-old Bartow man was killed Friday evening in a two-vehicle crash involving a motorcycle and a pickup truck on State Road 60 in Hillsborough County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred at approximately 6:45 p.m. on June 12 near Clarence Gordon Jr. Road in the Plant City area.
Investigators said the victim, identified as Ryon Hartwig, was traveling westbound on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle when a GMC Sierra exited a private driveway and entered the motorcycle’s path. Troopers reported that the pickup truck collided with the motorcycle.
Hartwig suffered fatal injuries as a result of the impact and was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.
The driver of the pickup truck, identified as 59-year-old Santiago Ruiz Rangel of Mulberry, remained at the scene following the crash. He was later arrested and charged with DUI Manslaughter after the investigation was completed.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Rangel’s blood alcohol concentration was recorded at 0.170, which is more than twice Florida’s legal limit of 0.08.
Troopers transported Rangel to the Hillsborough County Jail following his arrest.
Authorities said preliminary findings indicate the pickup truck entered the roadway from a private driveway directly into the path of the motorcycle, resulting in the collision. The crash remains under investigation as troopers continue to review evidence and reconstruct the events leading up to the impact.
State Road 60 is a major east–west corridor in central Florida that has seen multiple serious crashes in recent years, according to law enforcement reports.
Officials have not released additional details regarding possible contributing factors beyond impairment and roadway entry.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the case will be forwarded for further review as part of the ongoing investigation and criminal proceedings.
